VIP Treatment
Today’s Verse:
Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger? ~Ruth 2:10
Have you ever unexpectedly received VIP treatment? If you have, you probably were over-elated about the attention, care, and treatment you received. VIP stands for “very important person.” Every child of God is a very important person. In our devotion this morning, Ruth was humbled at the VIP treatment that Boaz extended to her. She asked, “Why have I found grace in thine eyes?”
We see the who.
“And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband's, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz.” Ruth had returned to Bethlehem with Naomi. It was harvest time, and she volunteered to go into the fields to glean barley and corn. She unknowingly gleaned in the fields owned by Boaz. Boaz is introduced as a mighty man of wealth. This indicated he owned much land, many crops, many farming animals, and many servants. He was also a man of great heart. He loved and took great care of his servants. Likewise, his servants loved and revered him. He took careful attention of people and what they did. Boaz is a type of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We see the why.
“And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore.” Boaz extended great grace to Ruth because of her love for Naomi and desire to return to Bethlehem with her. She left her pagan gods and, by faith, accepted the God of Israel as her Saviour. She said, “Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Boaz extended grace to her because of her faith. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves.” Boaz saw that she was under the wings of the Lord Whom she did trust.
We see the what.
Grace is God’s VIP treatment that He lovingly bestows upon us. It is love that is undeserved on our part. First, grace gives us a place. Boaz gave Ruth a place in his field. She was welcomed and accepted into his place. God gives us Heaven as our future home where we are welcomed and accepted. Second, grace gives us a position. Ruth was allowed to glean among the reapers. She was given safety. The Bible says that we are laborers together with God. It is grace that allows us to serve in the fields as fellow laborers. Third, grace gives us His provision. Boaz invited her at mealtime to come and eat of the bread and dip her morsel in the vinegar. She did eat and was sufficed. He invited her to drink water of the vessels drawn by the young men. God supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
We see the wow.
Boaz instructed the young men to leave Ruth some handfuls on purpose. Later that evening, she came home with the equivalent of eight dry gallons of barley: an extraordinary amount for the first day in the field. He giveth more grace. As we labor, endure, and remain steadfast, God gives us more and more of His grace. Naomi was shocked to see how Ruth was so blessed. May it be said that we are making ourselves available to receive so much of God’s grace that it is evident that He is shining His face on us. Grace is God’s VIP treatment: are you availing yourself of it?
Have a grace-filled God morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Jeremiah 23-57